Knitting machine



April 35- M. z|M|Tz 1,997,286

KNITTING MACHINE Filed J1me 1933 I 2 Sheets$heet l ATTORNEY- M. ZlMlTZ KNITTING MACHINE April 9, 1935.,

Filed June 9, -1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 619 ENIORF ATTORNEY- Patented Apr. 9, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE;

1,997,286 KNITTING MACHINE Michael Zimltz, Forest nun West,'N. Y. Application June 9, .1933, Serial No. 675,044

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to link and link knitting machines especially to that branch of the-machine known'as the racking mechanism.

In my U. 5. Patent No. 1,669,032, dated May 8, 1928, I showed and described a knitting machine having an improved racking mechanism.

The present invention is shown embodied in a similar type of machine and it is adapted to ac complish all that is accomplished by the machine of said patent and in addition certain other results which are an improvement of or an advance over that of the aforesaid patent.

In knitting machines of the type shown in the present case there is a mechanism for racking or withdrawing the needles at one side of a row within the confines of the needle plate in order topermit the opposite needle plate to be shifted lengthwise in relation to the other. In addition, there is a mechanism for racking or shifting one needle plate longitudinally in relation to the other in order to shift the positions of the needles in a lateral direction, in order to form different patterns by what is known as the racking stitch. The-present invention includes mechanism .for

racking the needle plates and also for racking the H needles. v

The present invention permits one of the needle plates to be racked to a greater number of positionsthan heretofore.

Prior to my aforesaid Letters Patent it had been the custom to rack by first moving the needle plates apart and then shifting one of the plates longitudinally, or laterally as to the direction of the needles, in relation to the companion needle plate in order to rack the needles. In some cases this operation was performed manually and in others by power means. The first movement taking place in this operation, usually called opening the needle plates, was not very satisfactory because if the machine is very clean the pull of the yarn on the needles will be sufiicient to .maintain them in knitting position and the opening movement of the plates will simply cause the needle plate to slide under the needles. Also, if the needles in one of the bed plates are actually moved awaywith the opposite needle plate, the

weight of the knitted fabric may be strong enough to cause the needles in the first'mentioned needle plate to pull the needles of the second needle plate out of their grooves and therefore defeat the purpose intended by the opening operation of the bed plates. Whenever either of these actions takes place the needles are likely to catch and to break when the second needle plate is racked.

In my aforesaid patent and also in the present inventionthese objectionable features are avoided by providing a novel racking mechanism which, instead of opening the needle plates, causes the needles themselves in the-stationary plate to be retracted from operative or knitting position while the other or movable needle plate is racked or shifted longitudinally of the first needle plate and laterally in regard to the direction of the needles.

In regard to this branch of the invention I provide means which will cause a more or less gradual movement of the needles when they" are being pressed back from knitting position, followed by a rather rapid or sudden movement of the needle racking barupon its return movement;

In the first described movement the needles or some of them are moved by the bar, whereas in the second or retracting operation the bar simply moves away from the projections on the needle jacks which have been retracted; and by making this latter operation a sudden or rapid one either less time may be allowed for the complete operation of this bar or a proportionately greater period may be allowed forthe first move- 2 ment during which the needles are moved back from operative position.

Another objector the invention is to provide a simple and common operating mechanism for operating the bar which retracts the needles and a mechanism which racks the needle plate lengthwise, so that both of these operations will take place in their proper sequence and the mechanism for performing both of these functions is reduced to a simple and inexpensive form. Another object of theinvention is to provide simple and effective means for racking one needle plate in relationto the other. In my said patent I showed mechanism for racking one of the needle plates lengthwise, which operated in such manner that the' movable needle plate was racked lengthwise or laterally of the needles to the extent of two positions. To rack the needle plate there is a revolvable memberhaving pins thereon, which pins are acted upon by a pawl to advance the pin carrying member step by step always in the same direction; and this limited the racking of the movable needle plate to certain sequences which limit the number of differentdesigns or the character of the different designs which could be produced with that type of mechanism.

In the needle plate racking mechanism dismember which is provided with pins is adapted to be operated by a plurality of pawls, say two, one of which engages the pin of the revolvable member on one side of its axis. and the other pawl engages the pins on the opposite side of the axis of the revolvable member. Either one of these pawls is thrown into operation at a time but not both at the same time. By selecting one pawl or the other for actuating the revolvable member, the latter, instead of being compelled to progress constantly in one direction, may be moved first in one direction and then in the other. One pawl may effect a step-by-step operation of the revolvable member in one direction for one or a greater number of movements, and then the opposite pawl may be thrown into operation, and of course the first one thrown out of operation; and then the second pawl-may bring about a step-by-step movement of the revolvable member in the opposite direction to that caused by the first mentioned pawl. In this 'manner the movable needle plate may be racked to any one of its several positions, starting from any point.

In addition to this advantage I am also able to provide for racking the needle plate a greater number of positions with a controlling member or cam, within practical limits.

, Other advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following detailed description of one embodiment of my invention. 7

In the drawings forming part of this application,

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a portion of the opposed needle plates and needles, together with the racking mechanism,

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing on an enlarged scale the revolvable member and the pawls for moving the same in either direction.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the shaft I I5 and showing the pawls in plan,

Figure 4 is an enlarged view showing in plan the cams associated with the revolvable members, the pawls and the lever for throwing either pawl into operative condition,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 4, I

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the lever for throwing either pawl into operative position, and

Figure? is a detailed view showing the chains for controlling the pattern and a pair of levers operated thereby.

In the drawings the numeral l designates the frame work in the machine which I have shown as similar in form to the frame disclosed in my said patent. This frame supports the carriage rails 2 and 3 on which the carriage 4 is adapted to reciprocate in a direction lengthwise of the machine and laterally in relation to the position of the needles. This carriage is operated through a connection 5 in any desired manner and preferably through the endless chain 6 shown in the said patent and which engages over the sprocket wheels I and 8 of the said patent and to which cross reference may be made for parts of the machine which, for simplicity, have been omitted from the drawings in the present case. The connection 5 slides on a rail 9. Inasmuch as the connection 5 may be operated by the mechanism shown in my aforesaid patent the same is not repeated in the present disclosure. It is sufficient to say that through the member 5 the carriage 4 is reciprocated substantially the full length of the machine. The carriage is providd with means for carrying the yarn or thread along the row of needles for the purpose plate.

of feeding the thread to the latter to be formed into knitted fabric.

The carriage and its function are well known in the art and as my present invention requires no modification in the construction and operation thereof, details are not shown in the present case.

The needle plates l0 and II are mounted in the upper part of the frame I. These plates are provided with lateral grooves [2 or slots at regular intervals, the slots or grooves in both plates being spaced the same distance apart. In these slots the needles 13 are adapted to slide laterally of the needle plates. They are adapted to be moved in the several slots by the jacks IQ of said patent which also are disposed in the grooves l2 in which the needles reciprocate. In the type of machine disclosed herein the needles are of the latch type and are double ended. That is to say, there is a hook and latch on each end of each needle. Also, in this type of machine the needles are adapted to be transferred from the grooves of one needle plate to the grooves of the opposed needle plate which temporarily align therewith for purposes well known in the art.

One of the needle plates, which, in the structure shown in the drawings is the front plate I I, is mounted stationarily on the machine frame. The other needle plate In is adapted to be racked. That is to say,it is adaptedto be shifted longitudinally or in the direction of its own length which is at right angles to the position of the needles. Part of the means for causing the movable needle plate In to be racked corresponds with the construction disclosed in my said patent; that is, on the right hand end of the machine as viewed in Figure 1 there is mounted an auxiliary frame H which supports a vertically disposed shaft l5 and from this shaft the movement is conveyed to the movable needle plate.

Before describing the mechanism associated with the shaft I5 I will first describe the parts of the mechanism for applying the movement to the movable needle plate which correspond with the similar parts in my said patent.

There is a needle opener HS in the form of a thin blade which lies on top of the needle jacks and parallel with the rail l1 which serves to keep the jacks and needles in position on the needle The needle opener I6 is connected to the rail I! by links I8 each having a pivotal connection at one end with the rail I! and at the other end with the opener l5, thus forming a parallel motion device in which the rail I! is stationary and the opener I6 is movable in parillel relation to the rail. Normally, the opener I6 is held against the rail l1, by the operation of a spring 20 which draws the lever 2| in one direction. This lever is pivotally connected with a link 22 and the latter is also pivotally connected with the rail IS.

The revolvable member with which the racking operations are carried out is shown as associated with the vertically arranged shaft l5 which may be oscillated back and forth or revolved progressively around its own axis. On this shaft there is mounted a member 23 which is shown in the form of a disc movable with the shaft and provided with a number of upstanding pins 24.

In the drawings I have shown six of these pins arranged an equal distance from each other around the circular disc 23 and concentric with the axis of the shaft [5. It will be understood, however, that the number of pins may be varied without departing from the invention.

There is a detent or holding member pivotally mounted on the bracket 26 and having a curved side 21 which extends in between the pins 24 as shown in Figure 3 to prevent accidental turning of the disc, especially during the retraction of the operating pawls.

, The detent is provided with an arm 28 and the spiral spring 29 is connected with one end of this arm and the stationary pin 30 on the frame of the machine so that the detent is pressed between the pins 24 in the manner shown in Figure 3, but the spring 29 permits the detent to be rocked when sufiicient force is applied to turn the disc 23.

I have provided two operating pawls 3|, 32 and by preference these are both pivotally mounted on a stud 33 which is carried by a short link 34. This link is also pivotally connected with a yoke 35 which is part of an eccentric strap 36 engaging with the eccentric cam 37 on the shaft 38. This latter shaft corresponds with the shaft 30 of my said patent and it is adapted to be operated through the mitre gears 39, from the main or power shaft shown in said patent. Regardless of the particular means for transmitting operating force to the shaft 38, it will be understood that the latter is operated in timed relation with the knitting mechanism of the machine the same as in said patent. It makes two revolutions to each reciprocation of the carriage 4. It will be apparent that each time the shaft 38 makes one revolution the cam 31 will act on the eccentric strap 36 and this will reciprocate the link 34 and cause the pawls to be both moved from left to right in Figures 2 and The pawls are mounted so that either one may rock on the stud 33 independently of the other. The forward ends of these pawls are disposed upon opposite sides of the shaft I5 and as shown in Figure 3 the noses of the pawls are arranged so that one is in a position to engage one of the pins 24 on one side of the axis of the shaft l5 and the other is in position to engage one of the pins 24 on the opposite side of this axis.

The pawls are so controlled that only one may be lowered into active relation with the pins 24 at a time or, in other words, when one is lowered into active position the other must be raised, and vice versa. They may be held in such position that both are out of the path of the pins 24. I have shown a lever having two arms 40, 4| mounted on a rocking shaft 42 and on the outer ends of the two arms of the lever there are oppositely directed studs carrying anti-friction rollers 43, 44. The lever is shown disposed in a vertical plane between the vertical planes of the two pawls in Figure 4, so that one of the rollers 43 is adapted to engage the under side of the pawl 32 whereas the other roller 44 is adapted to engage the under side of the pawl 3|. The shaft 42 is adapted to be rocked or oscillated in order to lower one of the pawls into operative relation with the pins 24 while holding the other pawl out of the path of the pins. For oscillating the shaft 42 I have shown a lever arm 45 on one end of the shaft which is provided with a laterally extending pin 46. This pin is adapted to be operated by means of a lever arm 4! which is pivoted upon the rod 48 which is fixed to the frame of the machine. The lever arm 41 is associated with the chain or pattern controlling portion of the machine.

In Figure 7 I have shown two sprockets 49, 50 mounted on the parallel shafts and over these sprockets engage separate endless chains 5|, 52.

spirit of the present 3, and then back again] .movable needle plate It) These chains, as is well known in the art, are provided with projections 53 arranged at various intervals and positions on the chain in-accordance with the predetermined plan for producing a particular design in the knitted fabric. In the construction herein illustrated the projections 53 will be of two different heights and there may be blank spaces where the projections are omitted.

The projections 53 on one of these chains, i. e., the rigfht hand one in Figure 7, operate directly on the lever arm 4'! for the purpose of lifting this lever arm whenever one of the projections comes into engagement with it; and whenever the lever arm 41 is lifted, the pin 46 on the lever arm 45 which extends through an aperture in the lever arm 41, is caused to swing upwardly and thus oscillate the shaft 42 in one direction. This is the shaft which carries the angle lever 40, 4| which controls the positioning of the pawls. The left hand chain in Figure 7 is also provided with projections 53 which engage thelever arm 54. This latter lever arm is pivoted on the rod and its free end is adapted to rest on the free end of the lever arm 47 the two arms being provided with overlapping sections 55. It will be apparent that this connection is such that it will permit the lever arm 54 to be lifted without lifting the lever arm 41 but when the latter is lifted it causes the arm 54 to be lifted with it. The functions of the chains and lever arms are well understood in the art and they are partially shown in the present case in order to illustrate how the shaft 42 is oscillated in order to rock the lever 40, 4| and control the positioning of the pawls.

The parts operated by the reciprocating motion of the pawls are preferably constructed and arranged as follows: There is a cam mounted on the upper end of the shaft l5 and it is shown as being disposed above the disc 23 and the pawls in Figure 2. The cam device actually includes two cams having fixed relation to each other; and they are here shown as made of two parts in order to allow them to be revolved completely around a circle and to allow a roller to remain in the slot of the cams while they are making a complete revolution.

I have shown an interior cam member 55 which is fixed to the upper end of the'shaft i5 and this member is fixed to a plate 51 mounted on the shaft. There is an outer cam disc 58 which is also fixed to the plate 51 so that the inner and outer camdiscs have a fixed relation with each other through the plate 51. The outer disc 58 has an opening therethrough and the edge of this opening is shaped to conform with or be parallel to the outer edge of the disc 56 between the discs a vertical opening 59 or raceway in which travels the anti-friction roller which is mounted on the under side of the arm 6| which is an extension of the movable needle plate l0. 1

The periphery of the cam disc 56 and the inner edge of the cam disc 58 roller 60 may be moved and held at various distances from the axis of the shaft 15 so that the may be moved and held at various positions with relation to the stationary needle plate. In other words, the movement of the roller 60 by the opposed edges of the two cam discs will effect the racking motion of the movable needle plate. In the present case the open ing 59 between the inner and outer cam discs forms a complete ring and it will be obvious that a fewer number of dwelling positions may be arranged upon the cams and that the opening 59 may be less than a complete ring. However,

so that there is formed are so shaped that the provide the rises II.

where this opening is a complete ring, as shown in the drawings, it is possible to provide a larger number of dwelling places for the roller 60 and to completely revolve the cams. In the drawings, by way of example, I have shown the outer edge of the-cam disc 56 provided with six different dwelling points 62, G3, 64, 65, 66, 61, for the roller 60. As the inner edge of the outer cam disc58 is substantially parallel with the outer edge of the disc 55, there will be in the'illustrated embodiment six corresponding dwelling points 68 for the roller 60. I

The number of these dwelling points corresponds with the number of pins 24 on the disc 23. It will be apparent that when the cams are stopped at any one of the six dwelling points the roller 60 will be held at a definite position in relation to the axis of the shaft l5 and that the movable needle plate will be positioned in some definite relation to the stationary needle plate, so that the needle grooves in the two plates will align. When the cams are revolved step by step the inclines of the cams will cause the roller 60 to be moved toward or from the axis of the shaft l5 and as. this roller is mounted on the arm 6| there will be a corresponding movement of the movable needle plate.

The outer edge or periphery of the cam disc 58 is shaped to provide a cam which acts on the anti-friction roller 69. The latter is mounted on the lever arm 2| a short distance from the pivot 10 of this lever arm, so that the movement of the outer end of the arm 2| is magnified by reason of the fact that this roller 69 is near the pivotal point of the lever arm 2| and the distance between this roller and the pivotal connection of the arm 2| with the link 22 causes a relatively greater movement of the racking bar I6. I have shown the entire outer edge of the cam disc 58 shaped to form a continuous cam surface so that the cam may be revolved completely around a circle, although it will be understood that only a portion of the edge of the cam disc 58 may be utilized. The outer edge of the cam disc 58 is provided with as many dwelling points 13 for the roller 69 as there are dwelling points on the inner cam for the roller 60; and with the parts disposed in the relation shown in Figure 4 the dwelling points of the inner and outer cams are in line with each other and with the axis of the shaft [5.

I have shownsix dwelling'points 13 on the outer edge of the cam disc 58, all of which are of equal distance from the axis of the shaft l5 because the lever arm 2|, when inactive, remains in the position shown in Figures 1 and 4 with the racking bar l6 lying close to or adjacent the stationary bar [1. Between successive dwelling points 13 of the outer edge of the cam disc 58 I Where there are six pins 24 on the disc 23 the outer surface of the cam 58 is provided with six dwelling points 13 for the roller 60 and six rises 1| intermediate these dwell-. ing points, as shown in Figure 4. The rises referred to are preferably shaped as shown in this figure in which there are several fiat portions leading up to the apex H of each rise and several plane portions leading downfrom each apex and merging with the dwelling portions 13. The object of this formation will be set forth in a description of the operation of the device.

Operation When the machine is set into operation the carriage 4 will be reciprocated lengthwise of the ing the thread into the hooks of the needles, and

this forms part of the regular operation of a knitting machine of this type. This operation is not necessarily modified or changed by any function of the present invention. The needle plate H, as stated above, is fixed in position whereas the needle plate I0 is adapted to be reciprocated in the direction of its length or laterally of the needles. Both needle plates are provided with equally spaced grooves for the double-ended needles, and the needles are adapted to be transferred across from one needle plate to the other and back during the operation of the machine, in accordance with the pattern to be formed and in accordance with the chain device partially shown at the right in Figure 1 and which operation conforms with present practice.

In a machine designed as shown in the drawings, the movable needle plate is adapted to be placed in one of three positions in relation to the stationary needle plate in order to bring about the shifting of the needles of one needle plate into any one of three difierent positions with relation to the needles of the other needle plate; but, as stated above, the number of positions may be increased or decreased, as desired, provided the racking mechanism is designed accordingly. The pawls will be periodically reciprocated twice at each cycle of operation of the machine by reason of the action of the eccentric 31 and the eccentric strap 36 which causes the link 34 to be reciprocated; and since the pawls are pivotally carried on the stud 33 onthis link, they will undergo the periodical reciprocating motion in timed relation with the knitting mechanism of the machine. Each time the pawls go forward or from left to right in Figures 2 and 3, one or the other pawl, but not both at the same time, may be lowered into operative relation with the pins 24 on the disc 23. This will be effected through the chain and sprocket device shown in Figure "7. If, for instance, one of the higher raised members 53 on the chain 5| engages the lever arm 41 while the pawls are being moved forwardly, then the arm 45 will be held in a raised position by the projection on the chain, and this will cause the pin 45 to be held in raised position. As this pin is carried by the lever arm 45, the latter' will therefore be rocked and the shaft 42 is turned slightly, .and with it the angle lever 40, 4|. The movement described will cause the angle lever to be positioned as shown in Figure 2, so that the pawl 32 will be held up by the roller 43 and will remain out of the path of or above the pins 24 while the pawls are making their forward motion.

The roller 44 will at this time be in its lower position, as shown in Figure 2, and the pawl 3| resting on this roller will be in its lower position, so that it comes in the path of one of the pins 24 of the disc 23. While the pawls are in this relation to the pins 24 they are moved forwardly. The pawl 3t engages one of the pins 24 so that during its forward motion it acts on this pin and causes the shaft to be partially rotated. The movement, when the parts are designed as shown in the drawings, will cause one-sixth of a revolution of the shaft l5. During this partial rotation of the shaft l5 two racking operations will be effected.

The two cam discs 56, 58 will be partially rotated with the shaft l5. The roller 69 resting against the outer periphery of the cam disc 58 will be acted upon by one of the rises of this cam disc, so that the lever arm 2| will be swung upwardly in Figure 4 or toward the right in Figure 1. The roller 69 will be moved away from the axis of the shaft l5 by one of the inclined portions 12, being moved against the opposition of the spring 20 which holds the roller 69 pressed against the cam surface. This motion will continue until the apex ll of one of the rises of the cam passes the roller, and when this occurs, the pressure caused by the spring'20 and acting to press the roller against the cam, will react on the cam on the opposite incline or descending portion. This pressure of the roller against the decline of the cam will force the latter and the shaft l5 to turn rapidly until one-sixth of a revolution will have been completed, in the construction illustrated. Thus, while the movement of the cams and the shaft I5 are initiated by one of the pawls, the movement is accelerated by the action of the roller 69 as it travels down the decline after passing one of the apexes TI on the cam.

It will be apparent that the cams may be turned either clockwise or counterclockwise in Figure 4, but in the particular operation now being described the pawl 3| initiated the turning of the shaft I5 and therefore the movement of the shaft and the cams will be clockwise in Figure 4. The movement just described will bring the resting portion 61 of the inner cam disc under the roller 60. The lever arm 2| in the above operation will have made one complete back and forth motion and the motion will have been transmitted through the link 22 to the rack bar I6. The latter will therefore have made a movement first downwardly and then upwardly in Figure 1, and this bar will have engaged the abutments of the nee.- dle jacks which may have been in the advanced position and withdrawn all of these needles from the knitting position, so that all the needles resting on the stationary needle plate will be lined up on the rear of this plate. Immediately after the racking bar 6 has made its downward movement it moves upwardly again or against the stationary bar I! leaving the needles in their retracted positions. This constitutes the racking operation necessary for clearing the needles to permit the movable needle plate to be shifted in the direction of its length.

The partial revolution of the shaft l5 also causes the cam surfaces on-the outer edge of the inner cam disc 56 and the inner edge of the cam disc 58 to act on the roller 60. In the operation just described, the dwelling point 61 of the inner cam disc will be brought into line with the roller 50 and while this is taking place the roller is being moved upwardly in Figure 4, or to the right in Figure 1. This operation causes the movable needle plate to be shifted to the right in Figure 1, a distance corresponding to the difference in the height of the point 62 of the inner cam disc and the point 61 of this same plate.

If the same pawl 3| remains in operative relation to the pins 24 during the next reciprocating stroke of the pawls, then the cams, together with the shaft I5, will again be advanced clockwise in Figure 4 one-sixth of a revolution, and the portion 66 of the inner cam disc will come under the roller 60. This will move the needle plate from right toleft in Figure 1, one step, which is an intermediate step between its position when the roller is engaged by either of the points 62 or 61 of the inner cam disc.

If the parts are in the position shown in Figure 4 and the lever 41 remains down because of the absence of a projection 53 on the chain, then the pawl 32 will be lowered into the path of the pins 24 and the pawl 3| will be held above the pins and out of active position. If during this condition the pawls are reciprocated by the eccentric de-. vice, then the pawl 32 will engage with one of the pins 24 and on the forward movement of the pawls theshaf t 5 and the cams carried by it will be turned one-sixth of a revolution. As the pawl 32 is disposed on the opposite side of the axis of the shaft l5 to that of the pawl 32, the movement of the pawl 32 just described will cause the shaft l5 and the camdiscs 56, 58 to be parrtially rotated counter-clockwise in Figure 4. This will bring the portion '63 of the inner cam disc under the roller 60 so that the movable needle plate will be positioned in the same intermediate place as it would have been by the cam surface 66. In addition to the above action, the partial revolution of the cams will have caused the rise of the outer cam plate which lies to the right of the roller 69 in Figure 4 to have passed under this roller and thereby caused a back and forth swing of the lever arm 2| and this will have caused the needles of the stationary plate to have been racked back just preceding the racking of the movable needle plate.

It will be understood that the inner cam edge of the outer cam disc 58 will act on the roller 60, at the same time as the outer edge of the inner cam disc 56, or in other words, the roller 60 travels in a closed race so that no spring action is necessary to move the movable needle plate in either direction.

From the above it will be apparent that where the parts are designed as shown in the drawings, the movable needle plate, instead of being racked by a succession of motions in one direction by the operating cam may, instead, be operated by movements of the operating cam in either direction, alternating in any sequence in accordance with the control of the chain 5|. By this arrangement it is possible to rack the movable needle plate into any one of three positions.

The relation between the movements of the carriage 4 and the shaft 30 is such that the 'latter makes two revolutions for each stroke or course of the carrier. During any operation of the machine, when racking is not desired, the angle lever 40, 4| is held by a suitable projection on the chain 5| in a neutral position wherein both pawls 3|, 32 are held above the path of the pins 24, and when this condition exists, the shaft I5 and the cams carried by it are not operating. A projection on the chain 5| to accomplish this will be about one-half the height of the projection which was referred to above.

When the needle opener l6 is moved into open position it engages the jacks I9 and thus opens the needles on one side of the machine to permit racking of the needle plate on the other side of the machine.

All of the advantages set forth in my aforesaid patent may be obtained with the present construction. For instance, no mechanism is required to close the needles such as is used in the prior art.

The needles remain withdrawn after the racking operation but the withdrawal movement is very slight and the needles and their jacks are in a position where they may be engaged by the carriage locks or cams on the following stroke. Furthermore, in the racking operation in the present machine, as is so in the said patent, there is no bodily transverse movement of the knitted fabric which hangs below the machine and therefore there is no tendency of the fabric to pull the needles out of the grooves in the needle plate.

When reference is made herein to fixed or stationary needle plates, these terms are used only with reference to the racking mechanism because the front bed is movable for the settingup of the machine although this movability has no relation to the operation of the mechanism when in use. 7

Having described my invention, what I claim A link and link knitting machine having opposed needle plates, one of which is mounted to be moved longitudinally in relation to the other, which is stationary; one, two, three or more needles mounted to be moved laterally or said needle plates and means for racking said needle plate and for racking the needles of one of said needle plates at least over one; two or three needles, said means including a cam adapted to be oscillated step by step in opposite directions, said cam having a groove having a plurality of similar rises disposed-on opposite sides of a neutral position, means engaging in said cam groove and'constructed and arranged to rack said movable needle plate in relation to the other needle plate, said cam having a plurality-oi peripheral rises similar to each other and corresponding with the several rises 01 said cam groove, and means engaging the periphery of said cam and constructed and arranged to rack the needles of said stationary needle plate, and means for operating said cam step by step to effect the racking of the needle plate and the racking of said needles.

MICHAEL ZIMITZ. 

